The recent win of Ademola Lookman as the CAF 2024 African Footballer of the Year has brought to the fore the deep-seated cynicism and love for conspiracy theories that seem to be an integral part of the Nigerian psyche.
In the lead-up to the awards, several write-ups and social media posts emerged, predicting that Lookman would be “rigged” out of the award. Some of these conspiracy theorists pointed to the unprecedented failure of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to trim down the nominees to the final three as evidence of a sinister plot to deny Lookman the award.
The reasoning, if it can be called that, was that if FIFA, the world governing body of football, could allegedly rig matches and awards, then CAF, its African counterpart, could also do the same. This line of thinking is not only misguided but also reflects a deeper trust deficit that Nigerians seem to have in institutions and systems.
This mindset is not unique to football or sports; it permeates every aspect of Nigerian life. We always seem to believe that someone, somewhere, is working against us and that the outcome of every competition or contest is predetermined. This victim mentality is not only debilitating but also ensures that we concede defeat even before we begin to compete.
Fortunately, CAF has put paid to these conspiracy theories, with its president explaining that the winner was chosen through the votes of captains of national teams and coaches. However, it is doubtful that this explanation would have mattered to some Nigerians if Lookman had not won the award. They would have still believed that he was rigged out and would have continued to peddle their conspiracy theories.
As we bask in the glory of Lookman’s win, it is essential that we use this opportunity to reflect on our mindset and attitude towards competition and success. We must learn to shed our cynicism and trust in institutions and systems. We must believe in our own abilities and those of our compatriots, and not always assume that someone is working against us.
By doing so, we can begin to build a more positive and confident mindset, one that will enable us to compete and succeed, not just in football but in all aspects of life.
Good morning, Nigerians
Timothy Odedina writes from Ogun State
